Sheltered housing tenants have complained of drug use and antisocial behaviour in their neighbourhood just days after their council housing provider boasted of its achievements.
Richard Evans, 50, a tenant at Amber Court who is pictured above, said: “We had a lot of problems with drugs. People used to come in and do a lot of cocaine.
“People also are urinating by the house as well. We’ve got homeless people following residents in through the front door – the local authorities can’t get them out.
“When I first moved in in 2000 there was money, now there isn’t.”
Amber Court is a block of 34 flats that provide retirement and sheltered accommodation, managed by the housing provider, Circle 33.
Circle 33, Islington’s biggest housing association, is a recipient of ASB (anti-social behaviour) accreditation and referred to it as a “kitemark” for all housing providers. To gain the accreditation, housing associations must fulfil certain criteria by eradicating disturbances and protecting tenants.
“When I first moved in in 2000 there was money, now there isn’t.”
But residents across the borough claimed despite their national achievements, the housing association still needs to do more for residents who are living in fear of trouble occurring on their doorstep.
As he gave evidence to Islington Council’s housing scrutiny committee, Mark Rogers, Circle 33’s CEO, apologised for recent failings by his association for the lengthy delays and complaints system that the company currently operates.
Nonetheless he said that: “We have this accreditation which we see as the kitemark for associations who are tackling anti-social behaviour.”
